Heloise: Travel package plan

Dear Readers: A lot of people travel for the holidays and bring gifts and food with them. Here are just a couple of friendly reminders about flying with wrapped packages, from the Transportation Security Administration:

When it comes to food, the same rules apply as the rules for liquids. If it’s more than 3.4 ounces, it needs to be put in checked baggage or shipped ahead of time. This includes jams, creamy dips, sauces, etc.

Wrapped gifts are allowed in your checked baggage, but realize that if your bag is searched, TSA officers may and are allowed to unwrap the package. Plan to wrap gifts upon arrival, or ship them ahead of time.

I hope these hints come in handy, and I wish everyone safe travel this holiday season! — Heloise

Dear Readers: Did you know that when you delete a file on the computer, it may not automatically delete? It is temporarily moved to the computer’s recycle or trash bin. This is so you can recover a file that might have been accidently deleted. Here are some hints about a computer’s recycle bin:

■ To recover files from the recycle bin, double-click on the recycle-bin icon. Find the file you are looking for. Right-click on the file and select “Restore.”

■ To permanently delete files from the recycle bin, first open it. There will be an option on the toolbar to “Empty the Recycle Bin.” Select this option, and all files will be permanently deleted. (Be sure to look over the files first and make sure there is nothing worth saving.) — Heloise

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Dear Heloise: I purchased a wrist support to help when using my computer mouse. It wasn’t much good for its intended use -- my wrist kept slipping off. I returned it and noticed a carwash sponge at the same store for $1. The sponge is about 6 inches by 9 inches and is covered with a very soft and fluffy woollike fabric. It works great! — Doug in Louisiana

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Dear Heloise: I repurposed my 4-year-old grandson’s diaper pail. He and his mom live with us, and the bathroom they share was always littered with his tub toys. I got some decals from the hardware store and decorated the white-lidded pail with ocean creatures. It has a pop-up lid, and when the bath ends, he shoots the toys into the pail like basketballs. The toys can drain and be ready for the next oceanic adventure. — Deb in Indiana

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Dear Heloise: If you don’t have enough room outdoors for a potting shed, use an old, adjustable ironing board. It can easily be stored just about anywhere, is easy to set up at the level you need and can be cleaned off easily. — Dottie in Florida

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Dear Heloise: Gift bags can be pricey. I hang on to cereal boxes or cracker boxes when the contents are gone. I cover them in plastic adhesive paper that has designs on it. I cut the paper into 2-inch squares to cover the boxes because it is more manageable and has no air bubbles.

When finished, I punch two holes on the two sides at the top and put ribbon through the holes for handles. The gift boxes turn out so cute! — Dawn B. in San Antonio